Power Steering Loss

[adria72]

I have a 2001 camry with about 88k miles on it. It's in great condition, but when it is cold out and even more so when it is wet and cold out, I lose power steering. Once the car warms up, it comes back. I have changed the belts a couple of times and thought about changing the rack, but I was told it wouldn't be the rack causing this problem. Any suggestions before I get hurt?

[sq_camry]

happens to me every so often on my 98 LE, check your fluid levels and add some if you are low. could be that there is just a tiny leak somewhere too.

[JohnGD]

If it's not leaky seals then check the PS belt tension. An old belt stretches and doesn't grab the pulleys well. This is a problem when there are no automatic tensioners.

If the problem goes away after adjusting tension then you know. It would be time to put on a new belt and maybe do a complete timing belt job too.

Originally Posted by adria72

I have a 2001 camry with about 88k miles on it. It's in great condition, but when it is cold out and even more so when it is wet and cold out, I lose power steering. Once the car warms up, it comes back. I have changed the belts a couple of times and thought about changing the rack, but I was told it wouldn't be the rack causing this problem. Any suggestions before I get hurt?

[#2!]

Funny
This reminded me of having the same problem with my Dodge Ram 3/4 ton. The really BIG problem was that on Cummins engines they use the power steering pump to provide the brake boost. So once in a while on a cold morning I put it in reverse and then realize I had no brakes. The peddle was rock solid and wouldn't budge. It took 3-4 attempts to slam on the e-brake and always had to check my pants after.

It always had a full fluid level and it is driven by one of the timing chains so theres no way it could have been slipping.

I sold that POS before I put it through a brick wall.

[Hajoca]

Cold, thick fluid is hard to pump. Normal for cold mornings.

In my CE, i used Mobil1 ATF, and it does flow better than my XLE which I filled with PS Fluid.

[ghettosled]

i concur about the belt tension. if i drive through a deep puddle on the passenger side i have the same problem.

[mazdaverx7]

it depends of if you have a complete power steering loss of if its just slightls tougher than normal. often times the power steering pressure sensr will show signs of failure this way. sometiems it will work when cold other times when hot. you may also want to clean and regrease your steering u-joints. they can start to bind and when cold will give you a false sense of steering boost loss.